Law Enforcement Agencies Raise More than $25k for George Mark Children’s House

The Antioch Police Department SWAT team represented East County well during the 7^th Annual San Leandro Police Department SWAT Fitness Challenge on May 29 placing third overall out of 40 teams.

The Fitness Challenge was a fundraiser to help raise funds for the George Mark Children’s House.  The George Mark Children’s House specializes in caring for children with complex medical conditions that may result in a shortened life expectancy from age’s birth to 21 years of age.

“It’s more than a bunch of cops running and competing,” said Randy Brandt, event organizer. “We also have families like everyone else who cares about our community. This event was to help raise funds for hospice for kids who are well enough to be sent home from the hospital and be comfortable.”

More than $25,000 was raised by 40-law enforcement teams across the State including east county’s own Antioch Police, Brentwood Police, and the Contra Costa County Sheriff’s Office. Each team was asked to raise $500 to compete.

The days event included fitness challenges that were designed to promote teamwork and sportsmanship. The event requires 4 SWAT team members to complete in 6 consecutive events in a single day.  These events include rowing, running, crossfit style exercises and shooting. For photos from the event, visit SLPD SWAT Fitness Facebook Page

Besides the fitness portion, you had tactical medical demonstrations and exercises (simulated arterial bleeding), as well as a bull’s-eye Shooting Course where they were simulating how to shoot under stress. At that point in the competition, they had already ran 8-miles and performed hundreds of repetitions of the workout session. They also had three agencies running checkpoints on radios.

According to Brandt, the event has grown from 3-teams 7 years ago to 40 teams. 32-agencies were represented and the event was also a way to network and connect subject matter experts with agencies to provide training on the spot or in the future.

Overall, Stockton Police Department took first placed followed by Sacramento Police Department while Antioch Police placed third.

He also praised the teams from East Contra Costa County for doing well their first time out at the event saying usually it takes a year or two to get familiar with the courses.

• Antioch Police – 3rd Overall
• Contra Costa County Sheriff’s office – 14th Overall
• Brentwood Police – 31^rd overall

Here is what Antioch Police Chief Allan Cantando had to say about the Antioch Police Department competing:

Last week, members of the Antioch Police Department SWAT team participated in a SWAT Fitness Challenge hosted by the San Leandro Police Department. This event is a fundraiser for the George Mark Children’s House, which provides hospice care for terminally ill children.

40 teams from throughout the Bay Area competed in this grueling, yet very worthwhile event. Teams competed in five different challenges designed to push them physically and mentally. The final challenge alone consisted of a 5.5 mile race uphill to a marksmanship range at Anthony Chabot Regional Park, where teams immediately compete in “bulls-eye” shooting course, and then a 5.5 mile race back downhill to the finish line.

Here is a list of all the law enforcement agencies who competed and helped raise funds:

For more information on the 7^th Annual San Leandro Police Department SWAT Fitness Challenge, please visit their website